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Optimize Your 2025 Tax Strategy Before Year-End

As the end of the year approaches, so do the holidays. Before you get swept up in seasonal festivities, it's prudent to consider strategic tax moves that could benefit your 2025 filing. Here are some end-of-year tax strategies you might explore:

Exempt from Filing a 2025 Return? - If your financial situation exempts you from filing a 2025 tax return, don't miss the chance to maximize tax-free income. For instance, selling appreciated assets could be tax-efficient if taxes are not a concern. Additionally, taking a penalty-free IRA distribution might be beneficial for those over 59½ or for certain qualified exemptions. Keep in mind, not filing could mean losing out on significant refundable tax credits.

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Unexpectedly Low Income? If this year’s income is atypically low, consider converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, benefiting from the current lower tax rate. Stocks with decreased value in your retirement account could present an ideal opportunity for such a conversion.

College-bound Dependents? If eligible for the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning Credits, evaluate your 2025 educational expenses. Prepaying 2026’s tuition for academic periods that begin early next year could enhance your 2025 credit eligibility, especially impactful for families with newly enrolled college students.

Recently Sold Your Home? Provided you meet the ownership and use test, up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for joint filers) from the sale of your primary residence may be excluded from taxation. Relocations due to job changes or health issues might still qualify you for a reduced exclusion if you don't meet all eligibility criteria.

Maximizing Employer Health FSAs - Think about increasing your 2025 Flexible Spending Account contributions if you didn’t allocate enough for 2025 expenses. The allowable carryover amount for 2026 is $660, usable in the first 2½ months of 2026.

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Newly Eligible for HSA Contributions? Even if your eligibility for Health Savings Account contributions begins late this year, you can still make a full annual contribution, which is both deductible and offers tax-deferred growth.

Boost Your Retirement Pot - Make the most of your 401(k) or IRA contributions before 2025 concludes. Losing this year's contribution window could mean less retirement savings and missed employer matching if applicable. Consider the tax impact, particularly if contributions to a traditional IRA are tax-deductible.

Stay-at-home Spouse? - For non-working spouses, there's an often-overlooked provision allowing IRA contributions based on the working spouse’s income. Useful when one spouse stops working but aims to maintain IRA contribution levels.

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Aged 60-64 in 2025? - Leverage increased catch-up contribution limits for retirement plans boosting savings during your final work years. This break is vital for enhancing retirement funds efficiently, although IRAs are excluded.

For more comprehensive guidance tailored to your unique situation, reach out to Bryant CPA LLC. Our tax experts can provide insights to maximize your financial strategy.

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